Display device



M y 22, 1962 c. R. LUCHSINGER 3,035,363

DISPLAY DEVICE I Filed March 3, 1961 INVENTOR. CHARLES R. LUCHSINGER J jATTZRNEYS Uite States Patent York Filed Mar. 3, 1961, Ser. No. 93,207 9Claims. (Cl. 40124.1)

This invention relates to display devices in general and moreparticularly relates to display devices, such as greeting cards whichwhen folded lie flat and when opened have a portion actuated byresilient power element to spring outwardly automatically in response tothe opening of the card to form a display for illustrations, designs,indicia material, or the like.

According to the present invention, a resilient power member, such asrubber band or other resilient member, is associated with a folded flapand adapted to cause the flap to pop-out or assume an extended positionas soon as pressure, such as results from the normal folding of thedevice, is released or when the device is released from confinement,such as in a mailing or containing envelope.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a display devicewhich may be prepared from a single sheet of material, which when foldedlies fiat for insertion in an envelope and the like, and which whenopened has a portion springing outwardly automatically.

A further object of this invention is to provide a display deviceprepared from a single sheet of material and having an elastic bandmounted thereon and attached to a flap for causing the flap to extendoutwardly automatically from a flat folded condition as soon as therestraint of holding it in the folded position is removed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a display devicehaving a pop-out flap in which an elastic projector, such as a rubberband, is so connected to the flap and device that the degree and rate ofmovement can be varied.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a displaydevice such as a greeting card having a popout display to which aresilient power element is so mounted to insure the proper movement ofthe flap during opening and closing.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a displaydevice having a pop-out flap, scored and foldable from a single piece offlexible sheet material, such as cardboard, in which the movable partsare connected by an elastic power element without the necessity ofadhesive or stapled connections,

Another object is to provide a display device having a flap springoutwardly by means of an elastic power element which flap issubstantially completely usable for writing, printing, drawings or thelike.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a folded displaydevice incorporating the above features which is easy to manufacture andfabricate, inexpensive to make, simple in construction, positive actingin operation, capable of mass production and durable in use.

Other and more detailed objects of the invention will be apparent fromthe following description of the preferred embodiments elected forillustration in the attached drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective elevational view of a display device in theform of a greeting card in its closed or folded position with portionsof one panel removed;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective elevational view showing the card insemi-extended position with a flap in its fully extended position;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of the card taken along line 33 ofFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the 3335,7563 PatentedMay 22, 1962 flap portion of the card showing the flap in its fullyextended position; and

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of a portion of the device showing the flapconstruction.

Referring now to the drawing. there is shown a display card 10incorporating one form of the invention. A sheet of flexible material12, such as cardboard, paper, plastic, or the like, is cut and scored toform a pair of integral panels or sections 14 and 16, foldable about atransverse fold line 18'. As shown, panel 14 has a front face or surface14b and an inner surface or face 14a. Similarly, panel 16 has an innersurface 16a which faces surface 14a when card 10 is in a closedcondition, as shown in FIGURE 1. An outer transverse edge 17 of panel 16has a flap 20 extending therefrom with longitudinally extending edges 22and 24. As shown, panel 16 has longitudinal slits 26 and 28 directedinwardly from transverse edge 17 and contiguous respectively to linescontaining longitudinal edges 22 and 24 of flap 20. Slits 26 and 28extend inwardly for a predetermined distance as will be discussedhereinafter. Extending between slits 26 and 28, is a transverse foldline 30 which may be scored or otherwise marked to aid in folding.

Advantageously fold line 30 is placed inwardly of edge 17 of panel 16 toreduce the strain on the material of the card and the possibility oftearing along the fold line. Panel 16 and flap 20 contain a pair ofspaced-apart slits or cuts 32 and 34 with each slit intersecting foldline 30. Extending between corresponding ends of slits 32 and 34 arefold lines 36 and 38. Slits 32 and 34 and fold lines 36 and 38 define anarea or fold 40. Area 40 is divided into two portions 42 and 44 by afold line 46 which is axially aligned with fold line 30 when area 40 iscoplanar with panel 16 and flap 20. Fold line 46 is scored so as to urgeportions 42 and 44 out of the Planes of panel 16 and flap 20respectively, when flap 20 is moved about fold line 30 towards surface16a. Hence, moving flap 20 in the direction of arrow 48 in FIGURE 4,bends area 40 about fold line 46 to the position shown in FIGURE 3 whenfully closed, so that the rear surfaces of portions 42 and 44 abut.

In order to actuate flap 20, a resilient power element is mounted onpanel 16 and portion 42 of area '40 which element in the embodimentillustrated is an elastic or a rubber band 50 of the ordinary commercialtype. Rubber band 50 is connected to panel 16 by providing openings suchas holes 52 and 54 therein spaced from slits 32 and 34 and shownadjacent respective ends of fold line 30. Portion 42 of area 40similarly have openings such as holes or apertures therein shown at 56and 58. The use of holes of a larger diameter than the diameter of theelastic power element allows free movement of the element so that it maystretch evenly when subjected to force and when the force is releasedretract evenly. Openings 56 and 58 are offset inwardly from a lineconnecting openings 52 and 54. The axis of openings 56 and 53 arepreferably offset from the axis of openings 52 and 54 in panel 16 toprovide that area 40 moves in the proper direction and prevents it fromreversing direction during opening and closing of the card as will bediscussed hereafter. Rubber band 50 may be inserted in openings 52 and54 via cuts 60 and 62 respectively extending from slits 28 and 26respectively. Similarly, rubber band 50 may be inserted into openings 56and 58 via cuts 64 and 66 respectively, advantageously extendingdiagonally outwardly from slits 32 and 34 respectively. Advantageously,slits 60, 62, 64 and 66, lead towards their corresponding openings 52,54, 56 and 58 in a direction opposite to the direction rubber band 51 isurged when in tension.

In using pop-up card 10, illustrative material or writing may be placedon any surface of panels 14 and 16 and on either surface of fiap 20.Flap 20 is urged in a clockwise direction '48, about fold line 30,toward surface 16a, as seen in FIGURE 4. Movement of flap 20 in thedirection indicated by arrow 48 urges area 40 to be bent about fold line46, so that fold line 46 is urged outwardly in the same direction asflap 20. Continued clockwise movement about score line 30 brings thefront face of flap 20 substantially abutting surface 16a, and portions42 and 44 of panel 40 are in back-to-back contiguous relation as bestseen in FIGURE 3. In assembled position, as seen in FIGURE 1, the cardlies flat and can be easily inserted in a conventional envelope.

As mentioned above in folding flap 20 clockwise about fold line 30portion 42 of area 40 is likewise caused to move clockwise in thedirection shown by arrow 70 in FIGURE 4. Since rubber band 50 is affixedto portion 42 by reason of its passing through openings 56 and 58therein, and is also affixed to panel 16, rubber band 50 is extended orstretched as shown in FIGURES l and 3 by the clockwise movement ofportion 42. The portion of rubber band 50 between openings 52 and 58 andbetween openings 54 and 56 are extended. Thus, with card folded as shownin FIGURE 1 rubber band 50 is in tension and tends to urge portion 42 ofarea 40 outwardly for return to its unstretched condition, such as whenthe card is open as shown in FIGURE 2. When panel 14 is moved away frompanel 16, the natural pull or draw of the tensioned rubber band 50rotates portion 42 counterclockwise, as viewed in FIGURE 3, and henceforces flap 20 to be rotated counter-clockwise about fold line 30 toreturn to its open and unstressed position, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 4.

The pressure of the resilient power element tending to open or extendflap 20 may be reduced, so that the force is not sufficient to separatepanels 14 and 16 and open card 10 of its own accord. Hence, the cardwill remain in its closed position until intentionally opened by theviewer or user. In this manner, the opening of the card by the user,allows flap 20 to be swung outwardly, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 4. Ifdesired the tension of the resilient power element can be madesufficiently large to open the card automatically as soon as it isremoved from the envelope or other restraining device.

While flap 20 has been shown to be rectangular, the shape can be variedfor producing different and attractive displays. Further, only one flapwas shown and this flap was positioned along a transverse edge; however,a plurality of flaps may be used simultaneously and positioned atvarious edges of either panel.

Various degrees of tension of the elastic power element can be providedby varying the distance between openings 52 and 58 and the distancebetween openings 54 and 56 during the cards closed position. Byadjusting the offset distance between the axes of openings 52 and 54 and56 and 58 in relation to the movement of portion 42, the distancebetween the axis of openings 56 and 58 and the axis of openings 52 and54 during flap 20s open and closed positions can be controlled. Makingthis distance larger increases the tension on rubber band 50 and makingthis distance smaller decreases the tension. Further increasing thedistance between fold line 36 and the portion of rubber band 50 betweenopenings 56 and 58 will increase the tension on rubber band 50 when theflap 20 is closed due to the greater distance the rubber band isextended.

While a conventional rubber band 50 has been shown, portions of a rubberband or expandible strips can be attached to or mounted on panel 16 inany suitable manner, such as staples or threading through opening 52 and54 and preventing its return in some manner.

Also, the distance between openings 56 and 58 on section 42 can bevaried so that section 42 will not distort under the force of theelastic during the tensioning operation which otherwise may be incurred.

From the above description, it will be seen that those skilled in theart can provide specifications which are within the scope of the subjectmatter as disclosed and for this reason protection is provided by thescope of the claims as distinguished from the scope of the singleembodiment herein disclosed.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:

1. A display device of flexible paperboard material comprising a firstand a second panel foldable about a first transverse fold line, a flapextending outwardly from an edge of said first panel and foldable abouta second fold line, spaced apart slits in said first panel and said flapand intersecting said second fold line, third and fourth fold lines insaid first panel and said flap respectively and each interconnectingsaid slits, a fifth fold line disposed between and parallel to saidthird and fourth fold lines and interconnecting said slits for forming afirst and second area defined by said slits and said third fold line andsaid fourth fold lines respectively, said first and second areas beingfoldable away from said first panel and said flap respectively when saidflap is folded inwardly, said first panel having an opening spaced fromeach of said slits, said first area having an opening adjacent each ofsaid slits and offset from the axis of said first mentioned openings,elastic means received in each of said openings and overlying said firstarea between the openings therein, said elastic means adapted to bestretched when said flap is urged into folded position and said firstarea is juxtaposed with said first panel thereby allowing said secondpanel to be folded over said flap and maintain said flap in said foldedposition and when opened permit said flap to swing outwardly in extendedposition.

2. A display device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said fifth foldline is axially aligned with said second fold line when said first paneland said flap are coplanar and means defining passageways from said edgeof said first panel to said first mentioned openings and from each ofsaid slits to its adjacent opening in said first area.

3. A display device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said elasticmeans is an endless resilient band and is received in said openings viasaid passageways.

4. A display device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said second foldline is displaced inwardly from said panel edge and slits extendinginwardly from said edge to said second fold line for allowing said flapto be folded about said fold line.

5. A display device comprising flexible sheet material, scored andfoldable to provide a pair of connecting panels and a fiap on one ofsaid panels foldable about a fold line, a strip having opposite endshingedly mounted on a said one panel and said flap respectively andextending across said fold-line, said strip having a fold-lineresponsive to the closing of said flap for folding said strip about saidstrip fold line in a direction opposite from said first mentionedfold-line and in back-to-back relationship when said fiap and said panelare in face-toace relationship, and means for swinging said flapoutwardly when said device is opened by having said strip separate froma back-to-back relationship to a substantially extended relationship andsaid flop swing to an extended position, said last mentioned meanscomprising means defining an opening in said one panel spaced from eachof opposite side edges of said strip and adjacent said flap and elasticmeans received in said openings and overlying said strip between saidstrip fold line and said panel when said fiap is in extended position,said elastic means being stretched by said strip in response to thefolding of said flap, said rubber band being maintained in saidstretched condition during said card being closed and urging said stripto its generally extended position and said flap to its extendedposition when said cardis opened.

6. A display device in accordance with claim 5 further including meanson said strip for cooperating with and maintaining said elastic means inoperative position during folding and unfolding operations.

7. A display device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said furthermeans are openings angularly directed from opposite edges of said stripfacing oppositely to the direction said stretched elastic means is beingurged.

8. A display device of flexible material comprising first and secondpanels connected by a score line and readily foldable thereabout to openand closed positions, means for maintaining said panels in closedposition, and means for swinging said second panel outwardly to openposition in response to the removal of said maintaining means, saidpanel swinging means comprising an area hingedly mounted to and movablewith respect to said panels, said area lying substantially parallel tosaid panels when said panels are in open coplanar position and beingadapted to be urged outwardly from said panels when said panels arefolded to closed position, and elastic means carried by said first paneland overlying said area when said panels are in open position, saidelastic means being stretched by movement of said area in response tothe folding of said panels to abutting closed position and exerting aforce on said area while the panels are in their closed position toreturn said area and said second panel to their open positions.

9. A display device comprising first and second panels of flexiblematerial hingedly connected and readily foldable to open and closedpositions, a flap mounted on one edge of one of said panels and ioldableabout a fold-line to closed and extended positions, a pair of spacedapart, generally parallel slits in said one panel and said flap andintersecting said fold-line, said slits being generally perpendicular tosaid fold-line and defining a strip, said strip having a fold-lineresponsive to the closing of said flap for folding said strip about saidstrip fold-line in a direction opposite from said first-mentionedfold-line and in a back-to-back relationship when said flap and said onepanel are in face-to-face relationship, and yieldable means for swingingsaid flap outwardly to extended position when said device is opened byhaving said strip separate from a back-to-back relationship to asubstantially extended relationship, said yieldable means comprisingmeans defining an opening in said one panel spaced from each oppositeside edges of said strip and adjacent said flap, and elastic meansreceived in said openings and overlying said strip between said stripfold-line and said one panel when said flap is in extended position,said elastic means being stretched by said strip in response to thefolding of said flap.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,809,452 Brown Oct. 15, 1957 2,824,394 Lohnes Feb. 25, 1958 2,860,439Johnson Nov. 18, 1958

